THE HAGUE— President Barack Obama is in the Netherlands, his first stop on a tour aimed at isolating Russia for its actions in Ukraine.

Obama arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport and headed for The Hague, to immediately begin meetings with allies and partners. Although Obama is in the Netherlands for the Nuclear Security Summit, the focus is clearly on the crisis in Ukraine.

The U.S. leader's aim is to build up support for more sanctions against Russia and economic aid for Ukraine's government.

In The Hague, Obama has called a meeting of G-7 leaders to coordinate a response to Russia's actions against Ukraine. Afterwards, he will travel to Brussels for meetings with European Union officials and NATO. Speaking at the White House last week, the president talked about his message for NATO allies.

“America’s support for our NATO allies is unwavering. We’re bound together by our profound Article 5 commitment to defend one another, and by a set of shared values that so many generations sacrificed for,” said Obama.

Obama is also reaching beyond Europe to shore up support for his efforts on Russia. On the agenda in The Hague is a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In an unusual move, China has questioned Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Last Friday, National Security Advisor Susan Rice said Moscow's interference in Ukraine is prompting a reassessment of U.S. relations with Russia. She said in the years after the Cold War, the international community tried to integrate Russia into what she said is the fabric of the international system and the global economy.

“But that was predicated on an expectation that Russia would play by the rules of the road, the economic and security rules of the road, international law, and the norms and principles that govern responsible international action. What we have seen in Ukraine is obviously a very egregious departure from that," said Rice.

President Obama's last stop in Europe will be Rome, for his first meeting with Pope Francis, to talk about fighting poverty and inequality.

After Rome, Obama will head to Saudi Arabia, where he will sit down with King Abdullah to talk about the war in Syria, the Iran nuclear negotiations and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

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by: Gennady from: Russia, Volga Region

March 24, 2014 9:34 AM

National Security Advisor Susan Rice has at last achieved what she strived for. As is widely known, the Russian are slow to “harness their horses but are fast riding them”. So, last days weren’t spent in vain for the State Duma of Russia and public community. Shock’s effect has subsided and now they are buzzing with the host, avalanche of ideas how in the shortest possible term to get free from Visa and Master Card payment service providers, how to immediately launch national payment service, how to get rid of the US produced software and so on, to name just a few. In the last weeks, wealthy Russians cancelled about 17% of their usual shopping spree in major European capitals (predominantly in London) and sightseeing tours. Recently, Mr Putin expressed his opinion that state bureaucrats of Russia shouldn’t any longer have any property abroad.

by: Albert from: Berlin

March 24, 2014 6:56 AM

There is a big threat to Europe and this threat must be to knee to us. I really don't want to finance Russia economy and I would have been happy if Germany and other countries found the way to reduce purchasing Russian gas.

by: mattsmith2014 from: asu

March 24, 2014 4:56 AM

His next stop is Hawaii.. I'm just sayin.. there may someone that will listen there.. Right?

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